LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending John Cleary upon the occasion of his
retirement after 40 years of distinguished public service to the New
York State Police, Erie County District Attorney's Office and Erie Coun-
ty Community College

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote themselves to
public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing
for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Senior Chief
Investigator John Cleary upon the occasion of his retirement after 40
years of distinguished public service; he stepped down as Senior Chief
Investigator in the Erie County District Attorney's Office on Thursday,
June 5, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Born in South Buffalo in 1952, John Cleary graduated from
Bishop Fallon High School in 1970, after which he attended the New York
State Police Academy; he went on to graduate from Canisius College, and
then joined the New York State Police, beginning his career stationed in
Poughkeepsie, New York; and
WHEREAS, John Cleary's demonstrated commitment to excellence was
recognized by his superiors; he was promoted to Sergeant in 1985 and in
1986 he was made an investigator in the Narcotics Division; in this
capacity he worked on several high profile drug cases in Western New
York; and
WHEREAS, During his time with the New York State Police, John Cleary
was responsible for narcotics enforcement, promotion recommendations for
unit employees, strict inventory control of evidence, property, confi-
dential records, funds expended and investigated internal matters; and
WHEREAS, In addition, John Cleary coordinated and participated in
several major investigations with DEA, FBI, IRS, United States Customs,
and local law enforcement agencies, resulting in the arrest and
conviction of multiple defendants; and
WHEREAS, John Cleary completed his Master of Science in Education at
Buffalo State College, SUNY, in 1996, after which he taught Criminal
Justice courses at Erie Community College as an Adjunct Professor; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, this dedicated man retired from the New York State
Police and became an investigator with the Erie County District Attor-
ney's Office where he worked on special investigations, domestic
violence and felony trials; and
WHEREAS, At the Erie County District Attorney's Office, John Cleary
was responsible for the direct supervision of 14 investigators in the
District Attorney's Office; in addition, he aided Assistant District
Attorneys in preparing cases for trial, serving in the Special Investi-
gations Bureau, the Domestic Violence Bureau, as well as the Felony
Trial Bureau; and
WHEREAS, His outstanding track record led to his becoming Chief Inves-
tigator in 2006; in 2011 he was promoted to Senior Chief Investigator,
in charge of the Erie County District Attorney's Task Force at the Erie
County Crime Analysis Center; and
WHEREAS, John Cleary's spirit of excellence carried over into all
fields of enterprise; an avid baseball fan and softball player, he was
inducted into the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame in 1996, and in
2011, he was awarded the Buffalo Bisons Irish-American of the Year in
recognition of his dedication to the betterment of the City of Buffalo,
his loyalty to his community and his outspoken pride for his Irish
heritage; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of nearly 40 years,
Christine; their three daughters, Colleen, Kate and Robyn; and their
five grandsons, Bradan, Rory, Graeme, Warren and Colin, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, A loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, in
retirement John Cleary plans to teach his grandsons how to play baseball
in the summer and ski in the winter; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated
public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation
of order and the protection of others are worthy and due full praise for
their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend John Cleary upon the occasion of his retirement after 40 years
of distinguished service to the Buffalo community and the great State of
New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Cleary.